ACT User Choice funding for traineeships

Nationally recognised qualifications at a reduced fee for eligible ACT private sector workers.

The ACT Government’s User Choice program (administered by Skills Canberra) subsidises nationally recognised training for eligible trainees employed by ACT private sector employers. McMillan Staff Development is a registered provider. Six of our BSB qualifications can be delivered as ACT-funded traineeships — student contribution starts from $350.

RTO 88187 · Delivering since 2009 · Canberra-based

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What ACT User Choice funding is

The ACT Government’s User Choice program subsidises the cost of nationally recognised training for eligible trainees. It’s administered by Skills Canberra and delivered through registered training organisations like McMillan.

Under a User Choice traineeship:

    • The ACT Government pays the majority of the training cost
    • A capped student contribution applies — usually paid by the employer, starting from just $350
    • The employer signs a formal training contract and supports the trainee through the program

Who it’s for:

    • Trainees employed by an ACT private sector employer (APS and public sector employees are not eligible)
    • New Workers — employed full-time within the last 3 months, or part-time within the last 12 months
    • Existing Workers — employed for longer periods (funding varies, not available for all qualifications)

What it covers: six of McMillan’s nationally recognised BSB qualifications, delivered as workplace-based traineeships over 10–12 months.

Am I eligible

To access ACT User Choice funding for a McMillan qualification, you need to tick every box:

  • ✓You’re employed by an ACT private sector employer
  • ✓Your role is a genuine ongoing position (not a short-term contract or labour hire)
  • ✓Your qualification is on the ACT funded qualifications list — see the six McMillan qualifications below
  • ✓You meet the New Worker or Existing Worker rules — New Worker means employed full-time within the last 3 months or part-time within the last 12 months. Existing Worker rules cover longer employment (available for some qualifications only)
  • ✓You and your employer are willing to sign a formal training contract with McMillan and the Apprenticeship Network Provider
  • ✓You have workplace-appropriate reading, writing, and numeracy skills (LLN screening at enrolment)

Not eligible if you are:

  • ✗Employed by an APS or Commonwealth agency
  • ✗Employed by an ACT Government directorate or another public sector employer
  • ✗Self-employed or a sole trader
  • ✗Employed outside the ACT (even if you live in Canberra)

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, submit the enquiry form below with your details and we’ll confirm eligibility before you commit to anything.

What you and your employer are responsible for

YOU

  • Attend workshops and complete assessments
  • Apply learning in the workplace and generate assessment evidence
  • Notify McMillan if your employment or study status changes
  • Complete the qualification within the agreed timeframe

YOUR EMPLOYER

  • Pay the capped student contribution on behalf of the trainee (or agree an alternative arrangement in writing)
  • Provide access to work that supports assessment tasks
  • Nominate a workplace supervisor to verify evidence
  • Give reasonable release time for training and assessment
  • Continue to employ the trainee for the traineeship duration
  • Sign and honour the formal training contract
McMillan handles the paperwork. We coordinate with the Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP) and Skills Canberra so the training contract and enrolment sit within a single process. You focus on the training. Your employer supports it.

How it works

From first enquiry to first workshop, here’s what to expect.

    1. Enquire — complete the form below with your details, your qualification interest, and your employer. We respond within one business day.
    2. Confirm eligibility — we check your employment situation against the funding rules and confirm which qualifications you’re eligible for. No obligation.
    3. Scope the training — we work with you and your employer on qualification choice, timing, and any workplace context we need to understand.
    4. Sign the training contract — the formal three-party agreement between you, your employer, and McMillan. We coordinate this with the Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP) — you don’t have to chase anyone.
    5. Enrol and start — pre-enrolment paperwork, LLN screening, orientation, and first workshop scheduled.
    6. Complete the qualification — workshops, workplace practice, and assessments across 10–12 months. Trainer support throughout.

Typical time from enquiry to first workshop: 2–4 weeks.

Funded qualifications available

Six of McMillan’s nationally recognised BSB qualifications can be delivered as ACT-funded traineeships. Cert IV listed first, Diploma second in each pair.

Leadership and Management

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management

BSB40520 · Emerging leaders and team leaders. From $770 (New or Existing Worker).

View qualification

Diploma of Leadership and Management

BSB50420 · Managers leading teams and operations. From $350 (New or Existing Worker).

View qualification

Human Resources

Certificate IV in Human Resources

BSB40420 · HR officers and coordinators. From $1,500 (New or Existing Worker).

View qualification

Diploma of Human Resource Management

BSB50320 · Senior HR practitioners. From $1,230 (New or Existing Worker).

View qualification

Project Management

Certificate IV in Project Management Practice

BSB40920 · Project team members. From $2,890 (New Worker only — no funding for Existing Workers).

View qualification

Diploma of Project Management

BSB50820 · Project managers. From $2,210 (New or Existing Worker).

View qualification

Frequently asked questions

You need to be employed by an ACT private sector employer in a genuine ongoing role, undertake a nationally recognised qualification on the ACT funded list, and meet the New Worker or Existing Worker rules for your qualification. APS, Commonwealth, ACT Government, and other public sector employees are not eligible.

New Worker — employed full-time within the last 3 months, or part-time within the last 12 months.

Existing Worker — employed for longer than the New Worker window.

For most funded qualifications, both New and Existing Workers are eligible (though funding amounts and student contributions can differ). One qualification — Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) — is only funded for New Workers.

Cost varies by qualification. The lowest starting point is $350 for the Diploma of Leadership and Management. The highest is $2,890 for the Certificate IV in Project Management Practice. See the six funded qualifications above for individual rates.

McMillan does not require more than $1,500 up front where a trainee is paying personally. Payment plans are available.

The student contribution is usually paid by the employer as part of the traineeship arrangement. It’s a common employer investment in staff development — the ACT Government covers the bulk of the training cost through User Choice, and the employer picks up the capped contribution.

Where a trainee pays personally instead, the $1,500 up-front cap applies and payment plans can be arranged.

McMillan aims to deliver each traineeship over 10–12 months. The actual traineeship term is set by Skills Canberra in the training contract and depends on the qualification and the trainee’s employment status (full-time or part-time).

RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) can reduce the training component — but under traineeship rules, no more than 50% of the qualification can be granted through RPL. The remaining units must be delivered through training and assessment.

A formal three-party agreement between the trainee, the employer, and McMillan (as the RTO). It sets out the qualification, the duration, the responsibilities of each party, and how the training will be delivered and assessed.

The contract is registered with an Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP), which is contracted by the Australian Government to manage traineeship contracts. McMillan coordinates this on your behalf — you don’t have to find or chase an ANP yourself.

Contact McMillan as soon as you can. If your new employer is also an ACT private sector employer, the training contract may be able to transfer with the appropriate paperwork through the ANP. If you move to an ineligible employer (e.g. APS, public sector, or outside the ACT), funding stops but you can continue the qualification on a fee-for-service basis.

Every situation is different — get in touch and we’ll work through the specifics with you.

Yes. ACT User Choice funding is traineeship-based — the funding is tied to an employment relationship with an eligible ACT private sector employer. You need to be employed before enrolment, and your employer needs to be willing to sign the training contract.

If you’re not employed but interested in the qualifications, workgroup and fee-for-service delivery options are available. See the qualifications hub for other pathways.

Check my eligibility

Tell us who you are, who you work for, and which qualification you’re interested in. Ben McMillan or Lauren McMillan will confirm your eligibility and get back to you within one business day. No obligation.

Prefer to call? Phone us on (02) 6230 0266.

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